Agra Fort

Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

It is the most important fort in India. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India.

Sites and structures within Agra Fort

* Anguri Bagh - 85 square, geometrically arranged gardens
* Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - was used to speak to the people and listen to petitioners and once housed the Peacock Throne
* Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - was used to receive kings and dignitary, features black throne of Jehangir
* Golden Pavilions - beautiful pavilions with roofs shaped like the roofs of Bengali huts
* Jehangiri Mahal - built by Akbar for his son Jehangir
* Khas Mahal - white marble palace, one of the best examples of painting on marble
* Macchi Bhawan (Fish Enclosure) - grand enclosure for harem functions, once had pools and fountains
* Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque)- a tiny mosque; closed to the public
* Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) - a private mosque of Shah Jahan
* Musamman Burj - a large, octagonal tower with a balcony facing the Taj Mahal
* Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque) - mosque designed for the ladies of the court, featuring the Zenana Mina Bazaar (Ladies Bazaar) right next to the balcony, where only female merchants sold wares
* Naubat Khana (Drum House) - a place where the king's musicians played
* Rang Mahal - where the king's wives and mistresses lived
* Shahi Burj - Shah Jahan's private work area
* Shah Jahani Mahal - Shah Jahan's first attempt at modification of the red sandstone palace
* Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace) or Shish Mahal - royal dressing room featuring tiny mirror-like glass-mosaic decorations on the walls